Letters to the Editor
Wednesday, January 2, 2008 10:55 AM PST
America shouldn’t embrace gay marriage
Editor,
Is it appropriate to harass gay persons? Certainly not!
Is it appropriate to encourage the gay lifestyle? Absolutely not!
If this seems contradictory, consider: Civilization depends ... the human race depends exclusively upon heterosexual relationships.
Homo sapiens are never more than one generation away from extinction, but, fortunately, the libido that inflames us all will keep the earth overflowing for the foreseeable future. Though sex, unfortunately, is becoming a toy in America, it still has the central role in the dynamic of civilization: Without it there would be no us!
So, to pretend that gay relationships are normal, that we should embrace gay marriage in America, that such marriages contribute to society, as is being preached in some venues, is foolhardy. The gay lifestyle is not normal. It is aberrant, contributing nothing to the maintenance of the human race, to be tolerated, not encouraged!
Civilized tolerance, not misguided encouragement.
Harry Neuwirth
Salem
Nyssa resident endorses Bentz for rep. position
Editor,
With the vacancy created by the retirement of Rep. Tom Butler, I am writing this letter to endorse Cliff Bentz as his replacement. I would encourage the Republican Precinct Committee and the Malheur County Court to endorse him as well.
Cliff has extensive experience in water law and 30-plus years of living in Malheur County and understanding the needs of this area. As you all know, we are in a battle to keep our water rights. Without the water, our agricultural land in Eastern Oregon is worth nothing.
A year ago we had a problem in the onion industry, and our onion association called on Cliff for advice in handling the situation. He was able to give us extensive help on who we needed to contact in the state of Oregon, as well as Washington D.C. This enabled us to stabilize a potentially explosive situation.
Cliff is willing to listen to the people around him, and that was one of the great attributes that Rep. Butler had. There were many times that Tom would call people in our area to inquire about our views on different situations, especially before a vote, and I think Cliff will do the same thing. Tom Butler has set a standard that I think Cliff will carry on. I would also like to thank Rep. Butler and his family for his years of service to us and for his untiring efforts to make Eastern Oregon a better place. I wish him good luck in his service to his church.
In conclusion, I think Cliff Bentz is the right man for the job and strongly urge those of you who are making this decision to vote for him.
Paul K. Skeen
Nyssa
Birthday surprise a hit
Editor,
Last week we were just blown away when we each received a congratulatory letter, plus the clipping from the Argus, in honor of our 90th and 80th birthdays! And two tickets to come pick up or have delivered medium size, two-topping pizzas — one for each of us!
Ontario has some wonderful and caring merchants and staffs — glad we moved here from Huntington (where Elton was born) nine years ago.
A big thank you to Chris Droege and his staff at Domino’s Pizza!
Elton and Margaret Griffith
Ontario
Flawed justice system presents opportunity for action
Editor,
I am a longtime resident of Jefferson County. As I familiarized myself with the now infamous “Simmons Case,” I was relieved that the way law is practiced by the judicial system in Jefferson County, especially since the passing of Measure 11, has finally been revealed to all Oregonians. I was also infuriated that Oregon’s judicial system, to the highest level of the Oregon Supreme Court, failed to hold Deputy District Attorney Steven Leriche, Judge Daniel Ahern, Judge George Neilson and Jennifer Kimble accountable for their errors and omissions.
This is a perfect opportunity for every resident of Oregon, including the citizens of Jefferson County and the victims of crime, to realize that Jefferson County’s judicial system is fatally flawed.
Charges filed due to angry demands and prosecutors that are anxious to convict have led to the situation where the rule of law is no longer the practice in Jefferson County. Obviously, we are not able to depend upon those at higher levels of the judicial system to act with integrity.
A suggestion for those who wish to see a change in the current practice is to register malpractice complaints against Steven Leriche and Jennifer Kimble with the Oregon State Bar, 5200 S.W. Meadows Road, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, (503) 620-0222, tollfree in Oregon (800) 452-8260, and complaints for censure, suspension or removal against judges George Neilson and Daniel Ahern with The Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness, P.O. Box 1130, Beaverton, OR 97075, (503) 626-6776.
Tina Towler
Madras, Ore.
